Nail disorders

NAIL DISORDERS

A nail disorder is a condition caused by injury or disease. Most, if not all, of you/your clients have experienced one or more types of common nail disorder(s) at sometime in their lives. The technician should recognize normal and abnormal nail conditions, and understand what to do. The technician may be able to help you/your client in one of two ways.

1. They can let the client know they may have a disorder and refer them to a physician, if required.
2. They can cosmetically improve certain nail plate conditions if the problem is cosmetic and not a medical disorder. 

It is the nail technician's responsibility and a requirement of their license to know which option to choose. A client whose nail or skin is infected, inflamed, broken, or swollen should not receive services. Instead, the client should be referred to a physician, if an appropriate recommendation, based on the condition.

DISORDERS INCLUDE

   Bruised nails are a condition in which a blood clot forms under the nails plate, forming a dark purplish spot. These discolorations are usually due to small injuries to the nail bed. The dried blood absorbs into the bed epithelium on the underside of the nail plate and grows out with it. Bruised nails should be treated gently and client's should be advised to be more careful with their nails if they want to avoid this problem in the future. "Treat your nails like jewels not tools!"

  

  Ridges running vertically down the length of the natural nail plate are caused by uneven growth of the nails, usually the result of age. Older clients are more likely to have these ridges, and unless they become very deep and weaken the nail plate, they are perfectly normal. If you or your client has ridges you can carefully buff the nail plate to minimize the appearance of these ridges, but great care must be taken not to overly thin the nail plate, which could lead to nail plate weakness and additional damage. Ridge filler  is less damaging to the natural nail plate, and can be used with colored polish to give a smooth appearance to the plate while keeping it strong and healthy. You can find ridge filler at any local nail supply, walmart or sally's beauty supply.

  Eggshell nails are noticeably thin, white nail plates that are much more flexible than normal. Eggshell nails are normally weaker and can curve over the free edge. The condition is usually caused by improper diet, hereditary factors, internal disease, or medication. These nails are very fragile and easily broken.

  Beau's lines are visible depressions running across the width of the natural nail plate. They usually result from major illness or injury that has traumatized the body, such as pneumonia, adverse drug reaction, surgery, heart failure, massive injury, and high fever. Beau's lines occur because the matrix slows down in producing nail cells for an extended period of time, say a week or a month. This causes the nail plate to grown thinner for a period of time. The nail plate thickness usually returns to normal after the illness or condition is resolved. 

  Hangnail or agnail is a condition in which the living skin splits around the nail. Dryness of the skin or cutting this living tissue can result in hangnails. Proper nail care, such as hot oil manicures, will aid in correcting the condition. In addition, the living skin around the nail plate should never be cut. 

  Leukonychia spots, or white spots, are a whitish discoloration of the nails, usually caused by an injury to the nail matrix. They are not a symptom of any vitamin or mineral deficiency. Instead, they are results of minor damage to the matrix. As the nail continues to grow, the white spots will eventually disappear.

  Melanonychia is the darkening of the fingernails or toenails. It may be seen as a black band within the nail plate, extending from the base to the free edge. In some cases, it may affect the entire nail plate. A localized area of increased pigment cells (melanocytes), cells form the nail plate, melanin is laid down within the plate by the melanocytes. This is a fairly common occurrence and considered normal in African Americans, but could be indicative of a disease condition in Caucasians.

  Onychophagy, or bitten nails is the result of a habit that prompts the individual to chew the nail or the hardened, damaged skin surrounding the nail plate. Frequent manicures and care of the hardened eponychium can often help to overcome this habit, while improving the health and appearance of the hands. sometimes, the application of nail enhancements can beautify deformed nails and discourage biting of the nails.

  Onychorrhexis refers to split or brittle nails that also have a series of lengthwise ridges giving a rough appearance to the surface of the nail plate. This condition is usually caused by injury to the matrix, excessive use of cuticle removers, aggressive filing techniques, or hereditary causes. Nail services can be performed as long as the nail is not split and exposing the nail bed. This condition may be corrected by softening the nails with a conditioning treatment, that is, hot oil manicures, and discontinuing the use of harsh detergents, cleaners, polish removers, or improper filing. These nails often lack sufficient moisture, so twice daily treatments with a high-quality, penetrating nail oil can be very beneficial. 

  Plicatured nail figuratively means "folded nail", and is a type of highly curved nail plate often caused by injury to the matrix, but may be inherited. This condition often leads to ingrown nails. 

  Nail pterygium is an abnormal condition that occurs when skin is stretched by the nail plate. This disorder is usually caused by serious injury, such as burns or an adverse skin reaction to chemical products.